India plans 100 new airports in 10 years under modified UDAN scheme
The proposed Rs 28,840 crore Modified UDAN programme, running from FY27 to FY36, would expand regional air connectivity and create a longer-term pipeline for airport retail, F&B and travel-services operators.
What happened
India plans to build 100 airports over the next decade under Modified UDAN, supporting regional connectivity and potential airport-retail expansion. The Rs
Key facts
- 100 new airports
- Rs 30,000 crore planned outlay
- Rs 28,840 crore Modified UDAN scheme outlay
- 166 airports currently versus 74 in 2014
- FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36
Why this matters
Airport developers, retail platforms and travel-services groups should use the proposed FY27–FY36 rollout to identify regional partners, concession targets and adjacency acquisitions before new catchments become contested.
What to watch
- FY27 budget approval, final Modified UDAN guidelines and airport list.
- Route-award cadence, airline participation and viability-gap-funding utilization.
- Passenger-throughput thresholds and load factors at newly connected airports.
- Concession tender terms, minimum guarantees and non-aeronautical revenue targets.
- State-level land acquisition, terminal construction and multimodal access progress.
- Growth in regional tourism, business travel and aircraft fleet deployment.
- Map proposed UDAN corridors against underserved tier-2/3 consumption clusters and tourism routes.
- Prioritize modular, low-capex formats that can operate profitably at subscale passenger volumes.
- Build local assortment playbooks combining national travel essentials with regional food, crafts and gifting.
- Secure early concessions, master-service agreements and advertising inventory options with airport operators.
- Develop omnichannel pre-order, pickup and last-mile partnerships for passengers, greeters and airport workers.